What weather is typical with a stationary front?

• A. Clear skies and stable conditions
• B. Strong winds and very dry air
• C. Rapid changes from clear to stormy weather
• D. Prolonged cloudy and unsettled weather with precipitation along the front

Answer: (D)

A stationary front stays in roughly the same place because the competing air masses push against each other without one overtaking the other. That stagnation lets clouds form and rain or other precipitation linger along the boundary for an extended period. The result is prolonged cloudy and unsettled weather with precipitation along the front, rather than clear skies or rapid, dramatic changes. Winds are typically not extreme because the front isn’t moving rapidly, and the weather can persist for hours or days as long as the front remains in place.